USB morse code keyboard

Looking for motivation to practice morse code [BenB] built this morse code keyboard. It uses USB and is recognized as a standard keyboard thanks to the V-USB stack running on the ATmega168. The project is rounded out with a clean look thanks to the chewing gum container that serves as an enclosure.

Not to be a troll, but really very few people use a straight key any more. Any real morse code use is done with an iambic key (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iambic_keyer) or “paddle”. It would be nice if this design could accept a paddle as well as a straight key.

You beat me to the punch. HAM Radio operaters were some of the original ‘hackers’, what happened to building your own rig and antenna with scavenged material? If a HAM wants to use a paddle with this idea, then figure the interface out. ‘Nuff said!

@Josh. The “spirit” of of this project was sending practice for someone beginning to learn Morse Code, where use of a straight key is the norm. Unless one has a rig with an internal keyer, additional circuitry is need between the paddles and the rig, paddles alone don’t make iambic keying possible. Meaning that a good number of those who use iambic keying presently can already connect to this project as it is. Respectfully something tells me you are totally unfamiliar with the subject.

An interesting take as to how to practice sending Morse, using something that most using tasks that most use a lot everyday. The only thing lacking is the immediate feedback that actual Morse contacts can provide, but every little bit of practice will help. Particularly in light that computers aren’t yet very tolerant of sloppy sending, the feed back may very well be immediate. Why isn’t any text being entered? :) Has been quite some time since I tried out PC based code reading software, so newer software may be better than the software I recall? HaD can’t post too much amateur radio hacks or projects INMO.
73 **LKK